T-shirt yarn or tarn as some call it, is created by cutting a t-shirt into narrow strands. The ideal method is to find a t-shirt without side seams and cut it into one continuous strand. Then you stretch it to make what I call curled t-shirt yarn. Here is a tutorial on how to make curled t-shirt yarn.
That is the process that I used to crochet this baby bib.
I used the bottom hem from the t-shirt for the ties on the bib. The free crochet pattern with all the details can be found here. I did do a few modifications to original pattern which are as follows:
My little No. 6 cast iron skillet needed a new handle cover. I made the other one several years ago and after time, the covers do fray and need to be replaced. I love crocheting my own homemade handle covers using recycled t-shirt material. I cut the old t-shirts in thin strips and create what I like to call t-yarn. The t-yarn makes great handle covers, potholders, and trivets. You can find my t-yarn making tutorial here.
I cut my t-shirt yarn very thin for this project. It’s about 1/4 inch wide and gently stretched to curl the “yarn” which makes it smoother to crochet. Here is the link to the free t-shirt yarn skillet cover pattern.
I crocheted this handle cover for a total of 12 rows using an I crochet hook. This is a bit smaller than the original pattern because
I love crocheting with recycled t-shirts. I cut this t-shirt into 1/4 inch strips and curled it as shown in my tutorial for curled t-yarn or tarn. I was inspired by the diagonal dishcloth pattern when I crocheted this baby bib. I had to frog the bib several times to get the size and shape right but I think the finished bib turned out pretty good. I cut the bottom hem off the t-shirt and used it for the two tie straps for the baby bib. You could also crochet your tie straps if you’d rather but I like using the hem strips as they are stretchy and already sewn for you.
I’m not sure why the bib looks red but it’s really pink. I think my camera is getting old and color blind — lol. Anyway here is my t-shirt yarn ball before I started which shows the pink color better.
This bib was crocheted for my little granddaughter. She’s four months old now and this should fit her nicely. It’s of course very washable and durable as it’s made completely from a recycled cotton t-shirt. The best part is that this baby bib was free making it a very frugal and green crafting project at the same time!
Free Pattern for Crocheted Diagonal T-Yarn Baby Bib
Materials needed:
One pink t-shirt cut into 1/4″ wide strip and stretched to curl into t-yarn approx. 110 yards
Cut two 14″ long strips using the t-shirt hem and stitch ends closed
Hook:
H (5 mm) USA size crochet hook
Description:
Baby Bib measures 9″ across and 8″ long from neck edge to bottom center
Straps are each 14″ long
Directions:
Ch 14
Here is my first curled T-shirt yarn or T-yarn project. Curled T-yarn is created by cutting an old recycled tee-shirt into strips and then stretching the strip so it curls in on itself. This creates a circular-type yarn from the t-shirt strip. Here is my picture tutorial on how I make recycled curled T-shirt yarn. My finished project is done in a basic motif granny stitch pattern. This trivet hotpad is not only very frugal as it didn’t cost me anything, it’s also an excellent way to upcycle old tee-shirts into a new cool reusable item.
All photos are clickable to supersize them
Here is a closeup of the T-yarn once its cut and stretched.
Free T-Yarn Motif Hotpad Crochet Pattern
Materials needed:
One large t-shirt without side seams (blue) – Cut and stretched into approx. 65 yards of T-yarn
Small amount of contrasting T-Yarn (white)
Hook: J U.S. size metal crochet hook
Finished Hotpad Trivet: 7 inches wide
With center color Ch 4, Sl St to form ring.
This is a tutorial on how to make T-yarn from old recycled tee-shirts. T-yarn maybe a new term to you. T-yarn or Tarn is what the yarn is being called that is made from cutting t-shirts into strips for crafting.
The best t-shirts are ones that do not have side seams as you can cut around and around starting at the bottom. First cut off the hem and then with a sharp pair of scissors cut strips about 1/2″ to 3/4″ wide. Cut in one continuous strip as I have shown here.
All photos are clickable to supersize them
I stopped at the armhole openings as this was the end of my continuous strip that is completely one piece cut in rounds. You can cut off the sleeves and start another continuous strip at this point but it’s not as smooth as the main body because you will have curves in your strip where you have to turn the corners.
To create the circular T-yarn, you gently pull on the strip. I found the best way to do this is by taking a short length about 1-2 feet long and stretching it. The stretching causes the tee-shirt strip to turn in on itself thus creating your rounded T-yarn. One important warning is not to pull too hard otherwise the strip breaks. I did have this happen on my first attempts so be advised to gently pull on the strip until it won’t stretch any further. Then you move to the next section of your strand and stretch it again. Continue stretching your strip until the whole long continuous strand has been stretched and is curled as shown in the photo.
Click to supersize
Here is a small sample of what the curled T-yarn looks like when you crochet with it. It’s smooth to work with and has a nice finished look. You can either crochet or knit with the recycled yarn that has been created. This circular T-yarn would make excellent potholders, trivets and of course is perfect for a recycled tote bag. One large tee-shirt netted about 90 yards of T-yarn once stretched. So grab your crochet hook or knitting needles and experiment with this recycled material to create some wonderful eco craft projects.
Recent Comments